Isn't It Queer

Jonny and Heather review some recent stories about the impact of AI on the LGBTQ+ community. While some of that is chatbot horror stories, much of it also shows possibilities for building stronger communities. In that latter vein, in the back half of the show Jonny interviews Jaron Soh, co-creator of Voda, a mental health app for the LGBTQIA+ community. They discuss what Voda provides, how AI ethically assists with that, and how the app came to be. You can find more information about Voda here: https://www.voda.co/

Jonny and Heather adapt to warming conditions and the failure of AC in their ecording studio, bringing an episode made in the virtual space of a Zoom meeting. They assess some particularly aggregious new assaults on trans rights, including the failure to honor the retirement benefits of Air Force members forced into early retirement for being trans. They also weigh in on Pete Buttigieg's mixed messages on trans support and the need for clearer, unambiguous support for trans rights in the resistance. In the back half of the show, they turn to the threats posed to other LGBTQ rights, including a full court press on overturning Marriage Equality and members of the administration's connections to platforms proud of their misogyny, transphobia, and homophobia. Unfortunately, the only real solace in all of this is the infighting and incompetence among the fascists and haters.

Jonny and Heather are back from their different trips. They pick up stories they missed while away and tie a common thread through them of the problem with manipulating data when you don't agree with the findings. While this has been common practice when justifying homophobic and transphobic legislation, it is now increasingly becoming the borader practice of an emerging authoritarian state.

Jonny and Heather ponder the many unsuccessful attempts by the Trump Administration to distract the public from the persistent scandal of the Epstein Files. In the process, they ponder what other important stories the current fascination with that conspiracy might be eclipsing. They look at recent disturbing developments in military and athletic trans-bans. In the back half of the show, they update on stories about eroding gender affirming care and impacts of hasty deportation and immigration control. While these are NOT the kinds of stories Trump would use as distractions, and they deserve our vigilant attention, we also acknowledge: TRUMP IS ON THE LIST!

Jonny is joined by Craig to discuss recent developments that suggest reality is starting to beat attempts to shape it through rhetoric, albeit all while relying on narrative. They look at the pushback against Alligator Alcatraz, the persistence of the Epstein Lists conspiracy, and the pushback on an Indianapolis pastor calling for the execution of LGBTQ+ people as evidence that ideologues can go too far. In the back half of the show, they discuss examples of how a desire for compassion and empathy can erode ideologies of oppression, with some specific attention paid to why conservatives seem threatened by the new Superman movie.

Jonny and Heather begin with a thesis that the weather is transphobic. This not-entirely-serious claim is used as a foil to discuss disinformation and misinformation campaigns. They examine several current event stories impacted by such spin, including: the Texas floods, the Everglades detention center, myths about undocumented immigration, and trans ban legislation.In the back half of the show, Jonny picks up the thread of AI's role in producing deep fakes and contributing to disinformation campaigns, but then offeres a more queer/nonbnary take on AI that examines ethical possibilities and recurrent fantasies about the nonnormative potential of robots.

Jonny and Heather celebrate the end of a very busy and very good Pride Month while also taking stock of a lot of bad news for the LGBTQ+ community this past weekend. After reviewing SCOTUS decisions and developments in the BBB, in the back half of the show they turn to why visibility matters, especially at a time when people are trying to erase us.

Jonny and Heather process their weekend, which included domestic packing, Pride celebrations, and the threat of WWIII starting in the Middle East. They turn from this big bomb to the bombshell the SCOTUS dropped in its US v. Skrmetti decision. There is quite a lot of fallout already from that explosive ruling. In the back half of the show they explore queer and trans joy as activists' strategy and tactic, starting with an empowering gift from a fan of the show. The fight isn't over, folks, and we will prevail!

Jonny and  Heather are joined by local queer and trans artist, Brooke Yandle, creator of Hawthorne Art. Together, they discuss the challenges of making a living as an artist in a small town before turning their attention to assessing this past weekend's Pride on the Strip events, No Kings protest rally, and Trump's Washington DC parade ostensibly honoring the 250th birthday of the US Military. Veteran and aesthetic critiques proves very insightful and revealing.

Jonny and Heather start off with a little reflection on the street actions during Pride Month so far. This includes various offcial Pride maches and activities as well as unrelated yet akin protests in LA. And then, well, the big Pride Month break up of a same sex marriage at the federal level. Shade! They eschew the drama on the streets for drama on the page, reviewing and recommending some trans authored novels, starting with Heather's own Goodbye, Hello.Several other authors' recent works are also examined, proving to be as genre fluid as they are gender fluid. The show ends with a rundown of Pride events planned in Carbondale this coming Saturday (6/14)